Prince Harry went to Africa to "get away" from the news of his mother's passing.
Prince Harry for Town and Country magazine
The 32-year-old royal was just 12 when his mother Princess Diana was fatally injured in a car crash in 1997, and he has now opened up about how his father Prince Charles whisked him and his brother Prince William away to Africa "straight after" the news of her death.
He said: "I first came [to Africa] in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags - we were going to Africa to get away from it all. My brother and I were brought up outdoors. We appreciate nature and everything about it."
And the royal - who is in a relationship with actress Meghan Markle - admits his early visit to the continent has meant he has grown attached to the area, and "wishes" he could spend more time there.
He added: "This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. I wish I could spend more time in Africa."
Prince Harry says he feels an "intense sense" of relaxation and normality when in Africa, and appreciates being able to go unnoticed.
Speaking in the latest issue of Town & Country magazine - which features photographs of the royal during a visit to Africa last year to work with African Parks on relocating 500 elephants - he said: "I have this intense sense of complete relaxation and normality here. To not get recognised, to lose myself in the bush with what I would call the most down-to-earth people on the planet, people [dedicated to conservation] with no ulterior motives, no agendas, who would sacrifice everything for the betterment of nature... I talk to them about their jobs, about what they do. And I learn so much."
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